Checkrein-holder.



No. 801,127. PATBNTED OCT. 3, 1905. S. H. ALTIGE.

CHECKREIN HOLDER.

APPLICATION FILED APR.17. 1905.

314 va ntoz SAMUEL HENRY ALTIOE, OF JAMESTOWN, NEW YORK.

CHECKRElN-HOLDER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 3, 1905.

Application filed April 1'7, 1905. Serial No. 256,028.

10 a/ZZ whom, it weary concern:

Be it known that I, SAMUEL HENRY ALTICE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Jamestown, in the county of Chautauqua and- State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Checlrein- Holders; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to checkrein-holders; and its object is to provide a simple and compact device of this character having means whereby the checkrein may be locked against movement.

Another object is to provide au extensible clieclrein having means for automatically returning it to its normal position, and also provided with a locking device whereby the retracting means can be secured against movement, so as to hold the check in any desired position in relation to its holder.

lVith the above and other objects in View the invention consists of acasing havingastud rigidly connected to it and constituting a bearing for a drum, in which is secured a spring adapted to be tensioned when the drum is turned in one direction. The drum has notched flanges at its ends adapted to be simultaneously engaged by lugs extending from a springpressed locking-lever. The checkrein extends through the casing and is secured to the drum. This rein is normally wound upon the drum and when unwound therefrom will cause the spring to be tensioned.

The invention also consists of the further novel constructions and combinations of parts hereinafter more fully described, and pointed out in the claim.

In the accompanying drawings I have shown the preferred form of my invention.

In said drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of my improved checkrein-holder, the face-plate thereof being removed. Fig. 2 is a section on line 2 2, Eig. 1; and Fig. 3 is a rear elevation of the holder.

Referring to the figures by numerals of reference, 1 is a base having a threaded stem 2 projecting therefrom, whereby said base is adapted to be secured to a harness at a suitable point thereon. A cylindrical casing 3 is formed integral with the base 1 and has a studt rigidly fastened to the center of one end thereof. The other end of the casing is open, but is adapted to be closed by means of a face-plate 5, having a central opening to receive the stud and adapted to be fastened in place by means of a nut 6 engaging the end of said stud. The stud forms a bearing for a ring7, which constitutes one end of adrum 8, and this drum surrounds a coiled spring 9, one end of which is secured to the drum, while the other end is fastened to the stud. Annular flanges 10 are formed within the drum at opposite ends thereof and have aliningnotches 11 therein spaced apart at regular intervals. These flanges form a groove therebetween to receive a checlirein 12, one end of which is secured to the drum. This checkrein extends through a slot 13, formed in the casing, and is normally wound upon the drum.

An ear 14: extends from the casing 3, and pivoted to opposite sides thereof are ears 15, formed at opposite sides of a locking-lever 16. One end of this locking-lever extends above the casing 3 and has parallel inwardly-extending arms 17, which work within openings 18 in casing 3 and are adapted to simultaneously engage the two flanges 10. A'coiled spring 19 is seated in a recess in base 1 and contacts with the other end of lever 16 and serves to hold arms 17 normally in engagement with the flanges 10.

As hereinafter stated, the checkrein 12 is normally retracted in casing 3 and Wound on the drum 8. Longitudinal movement of the checkrein is prevented, because the arms 17 normally engage the notched flanges 10. If it is desired to water the horse, the lever 16 is drawn backward, so as to compress spring 19 and withdraw arms 17 from the flanges 10. The horse can then pull the checkrein longitudinally by lowering his head, and the rein can then be locked by releasing lever 16. When the horse hasstopped drinking, the drum can be again released from lever 16, and as the horse raises his head the tensioned spring 9 will wind the checkrein upon the drum, after which it can be again locked. By providing two notched flanges upon the drum and two parallel arms 17 for engaging them it is impossible for the drum to slip when locked, because the spring-pressed lever 16 and its arms bear equally upon both ends of the drum and prevent the same from sagging. This, however, would not be true if a single notched flange were employed, for the reason that should the drum sag in its operation the notched flange thereof would tend to slip past the locking-arm. It will be seen that this device is very simple and compact in construc- IOO IIO

tion and forms a convenient means for securing and releasing the checkrein. If desired, a cord or other device may he connected to lever 16, so that the same can be operated without the driver leaving the car iage In the foregoing description I have shown the preferred form of my invention; but I do not limit myself thereto, as I am aware that modifications may loe made therein without departing from the spirit or sacrificing the advantages thereof, and I therefore reserve the right to make such changes as fairly fall within the scope of my invention.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is4

In a device of the character described the combination with a casing having apertures, an integral base and means for securing the base upon a harness; of a rotatable drum within the casing, a tension device secured to the drum for controlling` the movement thereof, annular notched flanges upon the ends of the drum and substantially equal in diameter to the internal diameter of the casing, an ear upon the casing, a lever pivoted upon the ear and disposed outside of the casing, said lever having an angular extension overlapping the base, a spring seated within the base and hearing upon said extension, parallel locking-arms extending from the lever through the apertures within the casing and adapted to simultaneously engage the flanges, and a checkrein secured to the drum between the flanges and adapted to be wound thereon.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

SAMUEL HENRYvALTIGE.

I/Vitnesses:

Gmo. S. ELLIS, WV. W. ALTICE. 

